What is the general consensus on what is the better method to store modules? I was going to get the 9"x11.5" mylar bags with acid free backing cards, like I used to do with comics as a kid, but a friend of mine suggested some top loaders, which are more like thicker protective cases. They are also 9"x11.5" and range from 5mm to 10mm thick.

Any thoughts on the best way to go about protecting them?

D.

Here is a link to what I was looking at:

http://www.bcwsupplies.com/products/Com ... Toploaders

Toploaders will take up more room over the long haul and are more expensive.  I doubt you will find many people here that use them.  And toploaders are really more for display purposes....at least they are used that way in comic book collecting circles.

Cardboard Carnage wrote:What is the general consensus on what is the better method to store modules? I was going to get the 9"x11.5" mylar bags with acid free backing cards, like I used to do with comics as a kid, but a friend of mine suggested some top loaders, which are more like thicker protective cases. They are also 9"x11.5" and range from 5mm to 10mm thick.

Any thoughts on the best way to go about protecting them?

D.

I use magazine bags and backing boards for my modules, Dungeon Magazines, and Dragon Magazines.  Once bagged and boarded, they are put in Magazine boxes.  They are fairly heavy once packed, but not too bad.  Here's a link to what I use:

http://www.bcwsupplies.com/products/Mag ... cessories/

I also use Life Magazine bags for some boxed sets like Greyhawk, for example.  There's a thread on storing boxed sets here:

viewtopic.php?t=5030&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=trophy+rooms&start=0

I have never used toploaders.  Those look expensive, and I'm guessing you'd still have to bag your items in addition to the toploader since the plastic is so hard/stiff.  Furthermore, they'd likely add significant thickness to any item requiring more boxes since fewer items would fit in a box.  Not only that, I'm guessing the toploader would make it impossible for items to for properly in a box at all.  Other people may have more knowledge about these.

There's a pretty good article on storing your collection here:

http://www.dragonsfoot.org/forums/viewt ... 39&t=15434

There's also a thread here or somewhere where people show off their collection rooms.  It's impressive.  Looking at other collections may give you good ideas about your own collection as to what to do and what not to do.  You are right to give this serious consideration.  Collection materials can be expensive.  

I like using the Acid Free Bags.
The ones I have are by Ultra Pro.
I also use backing boards for nearly everything, except hard back books.

Magazine size for almost all my stuff.  8-3/4 x 11
I hate trying to stuff a thick module or a booklet into the smaller bags that I once had.
Was always worried about dinging up a corner.

I also use the Role Playing Size Bags.  10 x 13
Not much I cannot put into those.
Not the full sized box Sets of course.
Talking about thicker soft cover books and all hard cover books and some of the larger modules.
Smaller Box Sets will fit too.

The Role Playing Bags are also good for storing small groups of series modules in.
IE. All three Giants Modules.  G 1, 2, 3.

Cardboard Carnage wrote:Good point on grouping together series (G1-G2-G3), I didn't think of that and would save on some bags.

D.

If they are simply playing copies yes.
In fact  (I have not tried it) but I suspect all 3 of the G mods will fit into the smaller baggies together, even with a backing board.
They are very thin after all.

But Minty Expensive Modules?
(IE. First Prints in NM Condition)
Then (If grouping them in series) I Double Bag those.
IE. Small bags with Boards for each individual Module, then those all placed inside a bigger bag.

The obvious reason I do the bigger bags for groups of playing modules is simply to keep them together.
And yes, it saves on baggies too.
They hold a LOT too.

Excellent heads up Grug, thank you!

Derek...

PaulKM wrote:I use the Gerber 2mm Mylar with the half-backs (thanks to Avur for the head's up).  However, I find them a tight fit for thicker modules.  

Has anyone used Gerber's Mylites with something the size of a DMG?  Would a DMG comfortably fit in their 10x13?

I'm trying to find out before I place another order.

Best,

Paul

I would love to know this as well.

Mars wrote:I would like to know what size bags are good for:

* General modules
* Hardcovers such as 1st Ed PH, MM, FF, etc
* Hardcovers such as 1st Ed DMG, Rules Cyclopedia, etc
* Boxed Sets - standard size such as BECMI
* Boxed Sets - thin sized such as Cities of the Bone, Secrets of the Lamp, Golden Voyages, etc
* Boxed Sets - Large sized such as Rod of Seven Parts, Planescape boxes, etc

Anyone have this down on what sizes fit these well?

Magazine size bags work perfectly for the typical TSR module.  A few of the larger modules (Dead Gods, The Shadow Rift) are a bit too big for the bags though.  Quite a few of the non-TSR modules wont fit in the magazine size bags due to being too wide.  The foldered Role Aids modules and Judges Guild maps are prime examples.  I use Role-Playing size bags for those.  Pretty sure small box sets will fit in those as well but I dont bag my box sets.